March 2020 Visa Bulletin Check-In

Most months, Charles Oppenheim, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division, provides visa bulletin explanations and predictions. Following the release of the March 2020 Visa Bulletin, Mr. Oppenheim provides some minor updates on a few of the employment-based categories. All predictions refer to the dates in the final action (FA) chart, unless otherwise specified.

Employment-Based, First Preference (EB1) Category

Mr. Oppenheim indicates that the EB1 category could become current this summer for all countries except India and China. However, depending on demand in some of the other categories, it may slow the rate that EB1 can advance. No updated predictions were provided for EB1 India or China.

Employment-Based, Second and Third Preference (EB2 and EB3) Categories

The EB2 worldwide category, which includes all countries of chargeability except India and China, remains current. However, by June 2020, and perhaps as early as April 2020, Mr. Oppenheim expects to have to impose an EB2 worldwide cutoff date.

The only update provided for EB3 is that there has recently been in increase in the number of EB2-to-EB3 “downgrade” filings from Chinese applicants. Presently, EB3 China’s cutoff date is more than seven months ahead of the EB2 China cutoff date.

Employment-Based, Fourth Preference (EB4) Category

The EB4 category is current for all countries other than El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. EB4 Mexico is predicted to continue to advance, at least in the near-term.

Conclusion

MurthyDotCom will continue to closely monitor and report on movement and predictions related to the monthly visa bulletin. Subscribe to the MurthyBulletin to receive future updates.

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